Also premiering at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, the 1968 BMW 2002 could not have been much different. The BMW 2002, called a “whispering bomb” by the German Auto Bild newspaper, was made for the practicality of motoring. Roomy inside, with plenty of head and leg space, and built with a spacious trunk, it was not made for the racetrack. Yet driving it was a joy.
With 114 horsepower, this modest-looking machine effortlessly cruised to 100 mph and over, handling turns better than American muscle. Great brakes and performance agility came standard. It was built with no-nonsense German engineering in an economic era recovering from the War when American autos dominated. Bells and whistles also came standard.
1961 Chrysler 300G Coupe
Sheer muscle delivered with style. The 1961 Chrysler 300G Coupe is a close ancestor to the 1955 and 1956 Grand National Championship and Daytona 500 winners, from which its powertrain was born. Stepping inside the 300G was a breeze. Swivel seats make entering or exiting the car a high-class endeavor. Settling down amongst perforated leather, chrome-framed instruments, and upscale attention to detail, the interior impressed.
Even the control-center instrument cluster illuminates at night, it was a perfect grand touring vehicle. This car possessed enough power to light the city of San Diego. Under the hood was a 6.6-liter V-8 wedge engine generating 375 horsepower. You had the choice of cruising in class, in a 2-door coupe or a 2-door convertible.
1967 Lamborghini Miura
The 1967 Lamborghini Miura was yet another gem unveiled at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. Its sleek and strong lines accentuating the emerging supercar as we know it today were as exciting then as they are now. In Geneva, automotive critics were flabbergasted by the formidable machine.
The burgeoning Ferruccio Lamborghini automobile manufacturer had started with building tractors, but luxury supercars were a blazing hot market. No other car could come close to his. Mounted in the rear with a monster 4.0-liter quad-cam V-12 engine, the Lamborghini Miura, named after a special breed of Spanish bulls, impressed and intimidated all.
1962 Morris Garages MGB
The MGB is a favorite of classic car hobbyists. It’s adorable, a blast to drive, and it’s got a ruggedly dependable engine. Some people call it the best-selling sports car ever. The British manufacturer produced a total of 513,000 MGs from 1962 to 1980. The best-selling Miata by Mazda borrowed heavily on the MG’s design.
The MGB was also affordable. It packed a 4-cylinder MG T-series, but what it lacked in speed, it made up for in design and construction. Albeit, hitting 100 mph was totally possible with its 95 horsepowers.
1964 Chevrolet Bel Air
The 1964 Bel Air was a 4-door, 6-passenger sedan with a 283 cu. in. V-8 Turbo-Fire overdrive engine, and an upper-class image as a 1950s Hollywood celebrity wagon. In the ’60s, that well-appointed space went to the middle class, with plenty of room for families.
In 1964, the Chevy Bel Air model trimmed down on its full and curvy body style of the past and offered a sportier, more streamlined look. The Bel Air name badge lasted until 1975, after which Americans opted for Chevy’s Impala and Caprice for their high-class rides.